ABOUT IMPORT EXPORT CODE

Import Export Code, which is commonly abbreviated as IEC is the first registration required for the business entities who are dealing in Importing or exporting of goods and services from India. IEC is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). It is a passport for import and export business.

KEY POINTS OF IMPORT EXPORT CODE REGISTRATION

# When IEC is Required ?:-Import Export Code required in the business of export or import of goods and services in India.

# Issuance Authority:- IE Code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India.

# Annual Renewal Required:- IE Code is no more one-time process. Import Export Code requires annual renewal.

# No Returns filling:- IE Code neither requires any kind of returns filling nor any further procedural compliances.

# Custom & Banks Requirement:- IE Code requires to quote with customs authorities/banks for importing & exporting goods and making or receiving payment to/from international vendors.

# AD Code:- Authorized dealer code required for customs clearance while exporting goods outside India. It can be obtained from the bank.

IEC CODE LICENSE MANDATORY FOR EXPORT SERVICE PROVIDER?

The Import Export Code (IEC) license is a key business identification number which is mandatory for Exports or Imports from India. No business can make any import or export without an IEC Code Number granted by the DGFT.

In case of if you’re doing import or export of services or technology transfer, the IEC Code shall be required only when the service provider or technology provider is seeking benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy or is dealing with specified services or technologies under Section 7 of Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2010.

IMPORT EXPORT CODE EXEMPTION

The following stakeholders are eligible for Import Export Code Exemption:

1. Central or state Government ministries or departments.

2. Individuals importing or exporting items for personal use that are unrelated to trade, manufacturing, or agriculture.

3. Individuals importing or exporting products from or to Nepal, Myanmar via Indo-Myanmar border areas, or China, providing the CIF value of a single consignment does not exceed Rs.25000. The relevant exemption ceiling for Nathula port is Rs.1 lakh.

Find the eligibility criteria for Import Export Code Exemption at - IEC Number Exempted Categories.pdf.

REQUIREMENT OF DIGITAL SIGNATURE FOR IMPORT EXPORT CODE

Importers and Exporters can apply for Import Export Code Online. Thus, the need for Digital Signature of business owner / director for Import Export Code arises.

Digital Signatures [DSC] are the most preferred way to apply for the online IEC code application.

The DGFT also has a one-of-a-kind Digital Signature Certificate that it issues to organisations who already have an IEC code for export and import. Using this one-of-a-kind DSC, applicants can save up to 50% on License Fees.

E-Startup India can help arranging digital signature [DSC] for the applicant

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPORT EXPORT CODE

1. Passport Size Photograph.

2. PAN Card.

3. Bank Account Details.

4. Pre Printed Cancel Cheque.

5. Certificate from Bank.

6. Address Proof.

WHAT IS THE EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL GOODS (EPCG) SCHEME?

The Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme, as the name implies, is a Government scheme to boost exports.

The EPCG Scheme allows import of capital goods including spares for pre production, production and post production at zero custom duty subject to an export obligation of 6 times of duty saved on capital goods imported under EPCG scheme, to be fulfilled in 6 years reckoned from Authorization issue date.

The manufacturers, Exporters and Merchant Exporters are eligible to avail this Scheme.The Scheme also applies to a service provider who has been recognised / accredited as a Common Service Provider (CSP).

You can avail EPCG Scheme having Import Export Code by submitting an application provided in Appendix 10 A of the Handbook, along with the papers required therein, to the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) or to the regional Licensing authorities, along with the relevant information/documents.

The terms and obligations under EPCG Scheme are as follows-

1. The obligation to export must be met by the export of products created or manufactured by the utilization of the capital goods that are imported in the scheme.

2. Exports should be direct exports under the names of the person who is importing. The importer can export via a third party as long as they are registered as the person who is the importer or licence holder is included on the Shipping Bill. If a trader exporter is the importer, the brand name should be included on the Shipping Bill.

3. The proceeds from exports shall be repaid in freely convertible currency.

4. Exports are physical exports. Deemed exports will also be considered in the fulfillment of the export obligation, however, the licensee is not legally entitled to any benefit of deemed exports.

5. The obligation to export is as a supplement to other obligations for export that is undertaken by the importer, and is over and beyond the average value of exports of the identical product by him over the previous three licensing years. If an exporter can achieve an export amount of 75 percent of the total value of production of the particular products exported, then the obligation to export in this scheme is subsumed as part of that export, subject to however that the value of aggravated those exports in the defined time period cannot be less than the total worth of the contract.

6. In the event that the exporter manufacturer has obtained licenses to manufacture the same export item under this scheme as well as the Duty Exemption Scheme, the physical exports made in accordance with the Duty exemption Scheme shall also count towards the fulfillment of the export obligation under this scheme.

7. In the case that computer software is exported The obligation to export computer software will be determined according to the policy, but the requirements that exports should be more than and beyond the average of exports over the previous three licensing years will not apply.

CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN FOR IEC CODE LICENSE HOLDER

A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an important international business document. The Certificate of Origin verifies that the products in an export cargo were entirely obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a certain country.

In other words, the Certification of Origin declares the product's "nationality" and also acts as a statement by the exporter to meet customs or trade regulations.

Customs, banks, private parties, and importers all require CoOs for a numerous of reasons. Also, Almost every country in the globe requires CoO for customs clearance operations, thus IEC Code License holders also need to apply for Certificate of Origin if he/she planning to export outside India.

A Certificate of Origin is issued by both the Indian Chamber of Commerce as well as Trade Promotion Council of India. Moreover, Import Export Code License Holders can two types of Certificate of Origin.

# Non-preferential Certificate of Origin specifies that the products being exported/imported do not get preferential tariff treatment and that the applicable charges must be imposed on the items being transported.

# Preferential Certificates of Origin are issued to products that are subject to preferential tariff treatment in the payments of tariffs. Preferential COs help in verifying commodities that are subject to lower taxes or allowances when exported to countries that provide these benefits. These COs are frequently linked to Regional Trade Agreements.